API src

Found 59 results.

Entwicklung von Lösungsvorschlägen, einschließlich rechtlicher Instrumente, zur Verbesserung der Datenlage beim Verbleib von Altfahrzeugen

Jährlich werden in Deutschland rund 8 Millionen Personenkraftwagen (Pkw) außer Betrieb gesetzt, von denen rund 3 Millionen als endgültig außer Betrieb gesetzt betrachtet wurden. Aus den verfügba-ren statistischen Quellen ließ sich der Verbleib von jährlich gut 1 Million der endgültig außer Betrieb gesetzten Pkw in Deutschland nicht belegen. Gegenstand des Forschungsvorhabens war die mög-lichst weitgehende Schließung dieser ąstatistischen Lückeĺ. Hierfür wurden der Status Quo sowie die Ursachen der statistischen Lücke intensiv über Expertengespräche, Workshops, Primärerhebungen, Datenbankauswertungen und Literaturrecherchen analysiert und die Verbleibswege in Szenarien systematisiert. Im Ergebnis zeigte sich, dass die Anzahl der zugrunde gelegten Außerbetriebsetzungen erhöht werden musste, da N1-Fahrzeuge bisher nicht erfasst wurden (0,36 Mio. Fz.). Die korrigierte Berechnung der Anzahl endgültig außer Betrieb gesetzter Fahrzeuge ergab eine Minderung der Lücke um 0,52 Mio. Fahrzeuge. Lücken im Informationsfluss ausländischer Zollausgangsstellen waren die Ursache für eine Lücke von rund 0,21 Mio. Fahrzeugen. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser und der weiteren Ergebnisse konnte die statistische Lücke weitestgehend geschlossen werden. Datenunsicherheiten bestehen insbesondere bei den Verbleibswegen der nicht-anerkannten Demontage im In- und Ausland. Die Studie entwickelt unter Berücksichtigung der aufgezeigten Ursachen der statistischen Lücke Empfehlungen und Maßnahmenvorschläge zur Optimierung der Situation. Die zukünftige Verbesse-rung der Datenlage soll mit Maßnahmen auf zwei Ebenen erreicht werden: Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Statistiken und Informationsflüsse, Maßnahmen zur Steuerung der Fahrzeuge in besser dokumentierte Verbleibswege. Hierzu gehören beispielsweise die Stärkung des Vollzugs gegen nicht anerkannte Demontage, die Verbesserung der Abgrenzung zwischen Altfahrzeug und Gebrauchtwagen sowie die Stärkung des Verwertungsnachweises. Quelle: Forschungsbericht

Dynamic (redox) interfaces in soil - Carbon turnover in microbial biomass and flux into soil organic matter

Das Projekt "Dynamic (redox) interfaces in soil - Carbon turnover in microbial biomass and flux into soil organic matter" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ, Department Umweltbiotechnologie durchgeführt. Existing models of soil organic matter (SOM) formation consider plant material as the main source of SOM. Recent results from nuclear magnetic resonance analyses of SOM and from own incubation studies, however, show that microbial residues also contribute to a large extent to SOM formation. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the soil mineral sur-faces are covered by numerous small patchy fragments (100 - 500 nm) deriving from microbial cell wall residues. We will study the formation and fate of these patchy fragments as continuously produced interfaces in artificial soil systems (quartz, montmorillonite, iron oxides, bacteria and carbon sources). We will quantify the relative contributions of different types of soil organisms to patchy fragment formation and elucidate the effect of redox con-ditions and iron mineralogy on the formation and turnover of patchy fragments. The develop-ment of patchy fragments during pedogenesis will be followed by studying soil samples from a chronosequence in the forefield of the retreating Damma glacier. We will characterize chemical and physical properties of the patchy fragments by nanothermal analysis and microscale condensation experiments in an environmental scanning electron microscope. The results will help understanding the processes at and characteristics of biogeochemical interfaces.

Highly-resolved imaging in artificial and natural soils to yield dynamics and structure of interfaces from oxygen, pH and water content

Das Projekt "Highly-resolved imaging in artificial and natural soils to yield dynamics and structure of interfaces from oxygen, pH and water content" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Potsdam, Institut für Erd- und Umweltwissenschaften durchgeführt. In soils and sediments there is a strong coupling between local biogeochemical processes and the distribution of water, electron acceptors, acids, nutrients and pollutants. Both sides are closely related and affect each other from small scale to larger scale. Soil structures such as aggregates, roots, layers, macropores and wettability differences occurring in natural soils enhance the patchiness of these distributions. At the same time the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of these important parameters is difficult to access. By applying non-destructive measurements it is possible to overcome these limitations. Our non-invasive fluorescence imaging technique can directly quantity distribution and changes of oxygen and pH. Similarly, the water content distribution can be visualized in situ also by optical imaging, but more precisely by neutron radiography. By applying a combined approach we will clarify the formation and architecture of interfaces induces by oxygen consumption, pH changes and water distribution. We will map and model the effects of microbial and plant root respiration for restricted oxygen supply due to locally high water saturation, in natural as well as artificial soils. Further aspects will be biologically induced pH changes, influence on fate of chemicals, and oxygen delivery from trapped gas phase.

Biogenic formation of non-extractable residues from pesticides in soil

Das Projekt "Biogenic formation of non-extractable residues from pesticides in soil" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ, Department Umweltbiotechnologie durchgeführt. During microbial turnover of organic chemicals in soil, non-extractable residues (NER) are formed frequently. Studies on NER formation usually performed with radioisotope labelled tracer compounds are limited to localisation and quantitative analyses but their chemical composition is left unknown. Recently, we could show for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and ibuprofen that during microbial turnover in soil nearly all NER were derived from microbial biomass, since degrading bacteria use the pollutant carbon for their biomass synthesis. Their cell debris is subsequently stabilised within soil organic matter (SOM) forming biogenic NER (bioNER). It is still unknown whether bioNER are also formed during biodegradation of other, structurally different compound classes of organic contaminants. Therefore, agricultural soil will be incubated with labelled compounds of five classes of commonly used and emerging pesticides: organophosphate, phenylurea, triazinone, benzothiadiazine and aryloxyphenoxypropionic acid. The fate of the label will be monitored in both living and non-living SOM pools and the formation of bioNER will be quantified for each compound over extended periods of time. In addition, soil samples from long-term lysimeter studies with 14C-labelled pesticide residues (e.g. triazine, benzothiazole and phenoxypropionic acid group) will be also analysed for bioNER formation. The results will be summarised to identify the metabolic conditions of microorganisms needed for bioNER formation and to develop an extended concept of risk assessment including bioNER formation in soils.

Teilprojekt B 05: Von den Baumkronen zum Aquifer: die Rolle mikrobieller Prozesse in der Bildung und Umsetzung von Nitrat in der 'Critical Zone'

Das Projekt "Teilprojekt B 05: Von den Baumkronen zum Aquifer: die Rolle mikrobieller Prozesse in der Bildung und Umsetzung von Nitrat in der 'Critical Zone'" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Jena, Institut für Biodiversität, Lehrstuhl Aquatische Geomikrobiologie durchgeführt. Dieses Projekt untersucht mikrobiell vermittelte Schlüsselprozesse im Zuge des Nitrat-Eintrages in bzw. Stickstoffverlustes aus den Kalkstein-Aquiferen des Hainich CZE. Unsere Untersuchungen befassen sich mit Änderungen von Nitrifikationspotential und Nitrifikanten-Gemeinschaften von den Baumkronen bis hin zu den Aquiferen, inklusive einer Abschätzung der möglichen Rolle der vollständigen Nitrifikation (Comammox), sowie mit der Relevanz der anaeroben Ammonium-Oxidation (Anammox) im Vergleich zur Denitrifikation für Stickstoff-Verluste aus dem Grundwasser. Unter Verwendung von 15N-basierten Techniken, quantitativer PCR, Illumina Amplikon-Sequenzierungen und Single Cell Genomics werden Aktivitätsmessungen von Nitrifikation, Anammox und Denitrifikation zu räumlichen Verbreitungsmustern und transkriptioneller Aktivität der entsprechenden mikrobiellen Gruppen in Beziehung gesetzt.

Contribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi to the formation and mobilization of soil organic matter (SOM)

Das Projekt "Contribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi to the formation and mobilization of soil organic matter (SOM)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ, Department Umweltmikrobiologie durchgeführt. In forest ecosystems ectomycorrhizal fungi are responsible for the mobilization of mineral nutrients from soil organic matter (SOM) resulting in a marked increase in productivity of their symbiotic host plants. In return the fungi obtain a significant amount of photosynthetic products from these plants, allowing the formation of an extensive hyphal system. These hyphae constitute a major part of soil biomass and, ultimately, a major source for SOM formation. While plant-fungal nutrient exchange has been analyzed extensively, this proposal is focused on the fungal contribution to SOM formation and on the processes leading to the acquisition of nutrients by the fungi. These two processes will be studied separately and in a quantitative way using isotopic labeling in soil bioreactors. Analysis of the fate of 13C labeled fungal material (Laccaria bicolor) in soil bioreactors will tell how fast and to what extent the various fractions of hyphal biomass are transformed into non-living SOM. As potential molecular or structural markers for SOM formation from fungal hyphae we will analyze characteristic remnants of fungal hyphae in SOM using scanning electron microscopy, DNAfragments using a PCR approach for the fungal rRNA internal transcribed spacerregions and biochemical markers like fatty acids and ergosterol. The impact of ectomycorrhizal mycelia supported by Pinus sylvestris plantlets on 13C- and 15N-labeled SOM and on microbial biomass will be analyzed in separate soil bioreactor experiments.

Impact of Intrafollicular Sulfated Steroids on Follicular Cells and the Oocyte's Developmental Capacity in Cattle

Das Projekt "Impact of Intrafollicular Sulfated Steroids on Follicular Cells and the Oocyte's Developmental Capacity in Cattle" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Gießen, Klinik für Geburtshilfe, Gynäkologie und Andrologie der Groß- und Kleintiere mit Tierärztlicher Ambulanz durchgeführt. Steroid hormones are essential in orchestrating oocyte maturation, i.e. estrogens of follicular origin support the development of the female gamete and fertilization. In this project the concentration of free and conjugated estrogens during follicular development will be analysed and compared to local concentrations in the developing follicle. Cattle are suitable animal models because of the accessibility and suitability for frequent examination and sampling. Furthermore, it has been useful for understanding several features of human reproduction including follicular dynamics, the fate of the emerging follicles is orchestrated mainly by gonadotropins and steroid hormones in a similar manner. Ovarian SULT1E1 participates locally in the regulation of follicular estrogen activity. The ESTcatalysed down-regulation of estrogen activity enables normal ovulation. Conversely, sulfoconjugated estrogens may also be precursors of the production of free estrogens depending on estrogen sulfatase (StS) acitivity. In mammals, follicular luteinisation/ovulation is triggered by a surge in LH and is characterised by numerous physical and biochemical changes, including the decreased production of estradiol (E2). This loss in E2 biosynthetic capacity has been explained by a marked decrease in the expression of key steroidogenic enzymes involved in the follicular production of active estrogens. However, little is known about the regulation of enzymes/proteins responsible for the inactivation and elimination of estrogens, as mediated for example by EST during this period.

Identification of groundwater nitrogen point source contribution through combined distribute temperature sensing and in-situ UV photometry

Das Projekt "Identification of groundwater nitrogen point source contribution through combined distribute temperature sensing and in-situ UV photometry" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Gießen, Institut für Landschaftsökologie und Ressourcenmanagement, Professur für Landschafts-, Wasser- und Stoffhaushalt durchgeführt. Agriculture is the major contributor of nitrogen to ecosystems, both by organic and inorganic fertilizers. Percolation of nitrate to groundwater and further transport to surface waters is assumed to be one of the major pathways in the fate of this nitrogen. The quantification of groundwater and associated nitrate flux to streams is still challenging. In particular because we lack understanding of the spatial distribution and temporal variability of groundwater and associated NO3- fluxes. In this preliminary study we will focus on the identification and quantification of groundwater and associated nitrate fluxes by combining high resolution distributed fiber-optic temperature sensing (DTS) with in situ UV photometry (ProPS). DTS is a new technique that is capable to measure temperature over distances of km with a spatial resolution of ca1 m and an accuracy of 0.01 K. It has been applied successfully to identify and quantify sources of groundwater discharge to streams. ProPS is a submersible UV process photometer, which uses high precision spectral analyses to provide single substance concentrations, in our case NO3-, at minute intervals and a detection limit of less than 0.05 mg l-1 (ca.0.01 mg NO3--Nl-1). We will conduct field experiments using artificial point sources of lateral inflow to test DTS and ProPS based quantification approaches and estimate their uncertainty. The selected study area is the Schwingbach catchment in Hessen, Germany, which has a good monitoring infrastructure. Preliminary research on hydrological fluxes and field observations indicate that the catchment favors the intended study.

Origin and fate of dissolved organic matter in the subsoil

Das Projekt "Origin and fate of dissolved organic matter in the subsoil" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institut für Bodenkunde durchgeführt. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one major source of subsoil organic matter (OM). P5 aims at quantifying the impact of DOM input, transport, and transformation to the OC storage in the subsoil environment. The central hypotheses of this proposal are that in matric soil the increasing 14C age of organic carbon (OC) with soil depth is due to a cascade effect, thus, leading to old OC in young subsoil, whereas within preferential flowpaths sorptive stabilization is weak, and young and bioa-vailable DOM is translocated to the subsoil at high quantities. These hypotheses will be tested by a combination of DOC flux measurements with the comparative analysis of the composition and the turnover of DOM and mineral-associated OM. The work programme utilizes a DOM monitoring at the Grinderwald subsoil observatory, supplemented by defined experiments under field and labora-tory conditions, and laboratory DOM leaching experiments on soils of regional variability. A central aspect of the experiments is the link of a 13C-leaf litter labelling experiment to the 14C age of DOM and OM. With that P5 contributes to the grand goal of the research unit and addresses the general hypotheses that subsoil OM largely consists of displaced and old OM from overlying horizons, the sorption capacity of DOM and the pool size of mineral-associated OM are controlled by interaction with minerals, and that preferential flowpaths represent 'hot spots' of high substrate availability.

Importance of soil organic carbon and mineral particle size fractions for the fate of soil supplied organic chemicals and their microbial transformations

Das Projekt "Importance of soil organic carbon and mineral particle size fractions for the fate of soil supplied organic chemicals and their microbial transformations" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei - Institut für Biodiversität durchgeführt. The biogeochemical interface (BGI) in this project is defined as the organo-mineral surface of soil particles colonized by microorganisms. In the preceding project it was demonstrated that the different soil particle size fractions were associated with specifically structured microbial communities, a characteristic amount of soil organic carbon, and a specific capacity for adsorption of the organic chemicals phenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol, respectively. While the diversity of the microbial community was responsive to fertilization-determined additional organic soil carbon in the larger particle size fractions, it was unaffected in clay. Stable isotope probing with 13C-labelled phenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol revealed that the soil organic carbon in the BGIs also affected the diversity of microorganisms involved in the degradation of these chemicals. All these results are yet only based on studying one soil with three organic carbon variants (Bad Lauchstädt) and only two organic compounds. The objective of this 2nd phase project is to apply the innovative technology developed in the 1st phase for studying the BGI processes with soil organic carbon variants from another soil (Ultuna, SPP 1315 site) and with the chiralic anilide Fungicide metalaxyl as an additional compound. This 2nd phase SPP 1315 project will also, in a collaborative effort with two other SPP 1315 partners, investigate (1) the importance of BGIs for the entantio-selective degradation of metalaxyl and (2) the role of soil microorganisms in the formation of bound residues, respectively. Furthermore, the project will utilize stable isotope probing and next-generation DNA sequencing to link the structural and functional diversity of the microbial communities responsible for metabolism of organic chemicals in the different BGIs determined by particle size fractions and soil organic carbon variants.

1 2 3 4 5 6